KR100259028B1 - Humidifier without water tank - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A humidifier without water tank is provided to achieve an improved sanitation and ease of use and clean-up by eliminating water tank from the humidifier. CONSTITUTION: A humidifier comprises a lower support(1) where a control circuit for controlling operation of the humidifier is mounted, and which has a water inlet device for constituting a water supply unit; an aqueous vapor generating unit electrically connected to the control circuit and which generates aqueous vapor for humidification; an upper body(2) having the water supply unit and water discharge unit; and an aqueous vapor discharge unit having a cap(3) with a vapor outlet opening(4) formed at the cap, and which discharges the aqueous vapor generated from the aqueous vapor generating unit. The lower support is connected to an external power source through a power cable(9), and has a humidification volume control switch(6), a power switch(7) and an automatic/manual operation switch(8) arranged at the front surface of the lower support. A connection conduit(10) for supplying water from an external source is connected to the lower end of the lower support. A valve(19) is mounted at the connection conduit so as to control the flow of water discharged from the connection conduit.

Description

Humidifier without bucket

The present invention relates to a humidifier, and more particularly to a humidifier having a structure that can be humidified without a separate bucket.

In general, there are three types of humidifiers: an ultrasonic type humidifying using an ultrasonic vibrator, a heating type humidifying by heating using a heating wire, and a hybrid type using both of them.

Ultrasonic humidifier is filled with water in the bucket, and the inlet portion of the bucket upside down when the water is supplied around the ultrasonic element of the humidifier ultrasonic element vibrates at high frequency and excites the water particles to forcibly separate the water particles. The separated water particles are maintained at about 40 ° C., which is not high in temperature. Since these water particles are heavier than air, they try to sink to the floor in a natural state, so they use a fan from the bottom to generate wind and pass out through the steam pipe.

Heated humidifiers have a structure in which water is supplied around the heater through a bucket, like the ultrasonic type, and the supplied water is humidified by boiling and steaming the water by the heat of the heater.

The mixed humidifier is a combination of the ultrasonic type and the heating type, and the most common function is to vaporize the water using an ultrasonic element while heating water at about 80 ° C.

Hereinafter, a conventional ultrasonic humidifier will be described with reference to FIG. 1.

The vibrator 600 of the ultrasonic humidifier is made of a piezoelectric material. The piezoelectric material is a material having a property of generating an electric field when deformation is generated by applying an electric field and generating a deformation by applying force. In this humidifier, a high frequency electric field of about 1.65 MHz is applied to the front and back of the vibrator to shock the water molecules using high frequency vibration generated from the vibrator to separate the water molecules from each other.

Conventional humidifier has a bucket (100) and the lower part of the bucket (100) has a pin designed to leak water by the load of the bucket, the water supply port (900) does not come out when submerged in water while the humidification is in progress When water is exhausted and the water outlet is exposed to air, the air enters the inside of the water tank and water leaks out. If the vibrator is operated in a state in which water is below a certain amount, there is a risk of damage. Therefore, when the water level is below a certain amount, the operation is stopped by using the level sensor 700 that can detect the water level.

In the conventional humidifier, a part that can be separated is a case 200 through which a water tank and water vapor pass, and the remaining vibrators and the like cannot be separated from the lower circuit 800. Due to this structure, a conventional humidifier is not easy to clean.

Since the inside of the bucket is immersed in stagnant water, the environment is easy to breed bacteria, so should be washed frequently, but there is a problem in that it is inconvenient to wash due to the limitation of the structure. Since water vaporizes by the ultrasonic vibrator, the vibrator is always immersed in water, and the vibrating surface of the ultrasonic vibrator, which is continuously immersed in water of about 40 ° C., is likely to have impurities. Since water vapor is generated in such a dirty environment, it is unsanitary, and in order to solve this problem, it is necessary to clean it. There is a problem that such a conventional humidifier is not easy to clean. In particular, the ultrasonic vibrator generates heat when the ultrasonic wave is generated, and the heat causes the water temperature to rise from about 40 ° C to 45 ° C. This temperature is very suitable for breeding bacteria, and because the water is stagnant, Bacteria are easy to breed. For this reason, it is necessary to clean frequently, but in order to clean it upside down, it is necessary to remove the water by turning the vibrator upside down, and the existing humidifier is bulky and heavy to turn over because the vibrator, the circuit and the main body are integrated.

In addition, since the existing humidifier has a structure having a bucket, there is an inconvenience in that water must be frequently supplied to the bucket. And, in order to reduce the number of times the water supply to the bucket should be increased in the size of the bucket. In this case, there is a problem in that the size of the entire humidifier is increased and the manufacturing cost is high.

On the other hand, in the case of a heated type has a hygienic advantage of discharging the sterilized steam because it is discharged by boiling, but the humidification efficiency is lowered and there is a safety risk due to boiling water. In addition, there is a problem in that the power consumption is high compared to the low humidification efficiency. Heated humidifiers have a tendency for the humidification efficiency to gradually decrease as the scale is formed because the water is heated and the inorganics remain. Because of the continuous use of the heater, due to the service life of the heater is often used, there is a problem that the life is shortened.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier in which the above problems in a conventional humidifier are solved.

An object of the present invention is to remove the bucket of the humidifier to ensure that the water for the humidification is always supplied from an external water source in a fresh state to solve the sanitary problem of the conventional humidifier and to solve the inconvenience of frequently replacing the bucket will be.

Figure 1 shows an example of a humidifier according to the prior art, (a) is a schematic perspective view showing the inside of the humidifier, (b) is a plan view, (c) is along the line A-A 'of (a). Cutting shown section.

2 is a schematic perspective view showing a bucketless humidifier according to the present invention.

3 is a schematic view showing a state in which the humidifier of FIG. 2 is separated into a lower pedestal, an upper body and a lid.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram for showing the internal structure of the humidifier according to the present invention, (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line A-A 'of Figure 2, (b) is a portion with a flexible hose An enlarged view of (c) is an enlarged view of a portion with a flexible electrical cable, (d) is a detailed view of the hose portion of (b) showing a connection for circulation of water.

5 is a plan view from above of the upper body with a portion of FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: lower pedestal 2: upper body

3: lid 4: steam outlet

5: water vapor 6: humidification control switch

7: power switch 8: manual and automatic switching switch

9: power cable 10: connection conduit

11: capital 12: flexible hose

13: electric cable 14: control circuit

15: wealth 16: faucet

17: space 18: ultrasonic vibrator

19: valve 20: outlet

21 hose 22 local low pressure part

25: engraved part 26: residence space

100: bucket 200: steam passing case

300: water vapor outlet 600: ultrasonic vibrator

700: level sensor 800: control circuit

900: water inlet

According to the present invention, there is provided a humidifier having a novel and excellent bucket-free structure in which the problems in the conventional humidifier as described above are solved. That is, the humidifier according to the present invention has a structure without a water tank including a steam generator for generating steam for humidification, a steam discharge device for discharging steam generated by the steam generator, and a control device for controlling the operation. A humidifier having: a water supply device for allowing water supplied to a steam generator to be directly supplied from the outside; and water vapor formed in the water and steam generator that accommodates the steam generator and is supplied from the outside through the water supply device. It is characterized in that it comprises a residence space for holding the water, whereby the water supplied to the steam generating device can be supplied directly from an external water source to generate hygienic steam.

According to the humidifier according to the present invention, due to the structure without a bucket that can be directly supplied from a water source such as tap water in a fresh state, it is possible to hygienically supply steam for humidification and also replace the water in the bucket from time to time The advantage is that the cumbersome problem to be solved is solved.

In the humidifier according to the present invention, the water supply device includes a water inlet device and a water discharge device, the water inlet device is configured to enable the water to be introduced into the humidifier from the outside and to control the intake of water, the water discharge The device supplies water to the dwelling space in response to the control means for controlling the humidifier and also controls the water discharge. In addition, the water inlet device includes a filter that serves to lower the water supply pressure when the pressure of the water supplied from the external water source is high and to filter impurities of the supplied water.

In addition, a water circulation mechanism is provided around the steam generator in the staying space to allow the water to vortex to flow and to allow the water in the staying space to flow in order to prevent snagging on the floor. Such a water circulation mechanism may use a motor driven pump device, or may use a non-powered (naturally occurring method). The non-powered circulation mechanism forms an outlet around the steam generator and connects the outlet to the water supply by any suitable mechanism so that the water in the staying space is drawn through the outlet by the pressure of the water supplied from the water source. It may be configured to be fed back toward the water residence space together with water supplied from the water source.

According to the present invention as described above, various advantages can be obtained.

Since the humidifier according to the present invention receives water directly from the outside without using a bucket, it is possible to reduce the space of the bucket by the volume, thereby significantly reducing the overall size (width, height, height and thickness dimensions) of the humidifier. If there is a bucket, it is possible to form a very low water vapor outlet formed very high because of the capacity of the bucket can be further miniaturized. In addition, the conventional humidifier should be refilled when the water in the bucket is consumed by using the bucket, but the humidifier of the present invention, for example, because water can always be supplied from an external water source such as tap water to replenish the water You can still use it without it. On the other hand, in the matter of hygiene on the use, the humidifier of the present invention can prevent the growth of bacteria because the humidifying steam is always generated by the flowing water without using a bucket. In addition, as water is discharged through the water outlet installed around the vibrator and forms a vortex movement around the vibrator, water does not stagnate, and thus the scale is not easily formed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings shown for the purpose of illustrating the present invention will be described a preferred embodiment.

2 to 5, a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In the present embodiment, the humidifier adopts the ultrasonic humidification method.

The humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower pedestal (1) equipped with a control circuit (14, FIG. 4 (a)) for controlling the operation of the humidifier and having a water inlet device constituting the water supply device; In one example, the steam generator, which is electrically connected to the control circuit 14 and generates water vapor, includes an upper body 2 including a water vapor generator such as an ultrasonic vibrator 18, a water supply device and a water discharge device, and a water vapor outlet. 4) a water vapor discharge device with a lid 3 formed thereon. The steam discharge device may comprise a device for forcibly discharging water vapor according to the prior art.

Each member constituting the humidifier will be described in detail. The lower pedestal 1 includes a control circuit 14 connected to an external power source by a power cable 9 and controlling the operation of the humidifier. The front face of the pedestal 1 is provided with various switches connected to the control circuit 14, for example, a humidification amount control switch 6, a power switch 7, and a manual / automatic switch 8. The control circuit 14 is also connected with a water level sensing level sensor and a humidity sensing sensor for controlling the operation of the humidifier.

In addition, the lower end of the lower pedestal 1 is attached with a connection conduit 10 such as a hose constituting a water inlet device for supplying water to the humidifier from the outside. This connecting conduit extends into the lower pedestal. In the portion near the body of the lower pedestal 1, the connecting conduit 10 is formed with a connecting portion capable of separating or connecting the two conduits. The connecting portion is provided with a valve 19 which can be adjusted so that water does not leak out when the connecting conduit 10 is removed. The connection conduit 10 is a vinyl-based, flexible material, the inner diameter is 1mm, the outer diameter is preferably used a hose 2mm.

On the other hand, when the connecting conduit 10 is connected to the water supply as a water supply source for supplying water to the humidifier, the water pressure of the tap water is strong to be used for humidification, so that the pressure of the connecting conduit 10 is weakened and the impurities are filtered out. A filter (not shown in the figure) is installed at the proper position. The filter uses a filter using activated carbon to remove impurities. The pressure of the water to be supplied is preferably reduced to about 2.5 to 3 kg / cm 2.

The upper portion of the lower pedestal 1 in the present embodiment is formed with a space 17 of a predetermined size. In this space 17, an electric cable 13, a first hose 12 and a second hose 21 are arranged as shown in FIG. The cable 13 electrically connects between the control circuit and the ultrasonic vibrator 18. In addition, one end of the first hose 12 is connected to the end of the connecting conduit 10 and the other end of the first hose 12 is in turn connected to a water discharge device provided in the upper body 2. The first hose 12 is preferably made of a more flexible material than the connecting conduit 10, the size of the inner diameter is preferably 1mm, the outer diameter is 2mm.

In the upper body 2 there is formed a water / steam retention space 26 which can retain water in the lower part and retain the steam in the upper part. At the bottom of the space, a steam generator for generating steam is provided, and a water discharge device for discharging water into the staying space is provided. Moreover, the blower for moving water vapor in one direction can also be provided in a residence space. In the present embodiment, the steam generator may be configured as an ultrasonic vibrator 18. The ultrasonic vibrator 18 can be comprised by using a piezoelectric ceramic as an example. One side of the ultrasonic vibrator 18 is exposed to water and the edge is kept sealed by rubber or the like so that water does not penetrate downward. As shown in FIG. 5, the water outlet 20 is circularly formed around the ultrasonic vibrator 18 to allow water in the water / steam accommodation space 26 to escape through the outlet 20. Accordingly, the water is vortex flow around the ultrasonic vibrator 18, so that the water is not stagnant and the environment in which bacteria can be easily grown due to the stagnation of water can be prevented. In order to allow the water to be discharged smoothly through the water outlet 20, only the pressure of the water in the residence space 26 of the upper body 2 is weak. In order to reinforce this, the second hose 21 is connected to the discharge end of the water outlet and opposed to the second hose 21 so that the water in the residence space 26 can be naturally discharged using the water pressure of the supplied water. The other end of the s) is penetrated into the first hose 12 so as to be positioned in the conduit of the first hose 12 (see FIG. 4 (d)). In this case, the end diameter of the second hose 21 is formed smaller than the diameter of the first hose 12. Preferably, the end diameter of the second hose 21 is 1/2 or less of the diameter of the first hose 12. As such, when the second hose 21 penetrates into the first hose 12 and is positioned in the conduit of the first hose 12, a local low pressure part 22 is formed at the end of the second hose 21 in the conduit. do. As a result of the formation of the local low pressure portion 22, the water in the staying space 26 is forcibly discharged into the conduit of the hose 12 through the outlet 20, and is supplied with the water flowing through the hose 12. Together it is fed back into the residence space 26 of the upper body 2 (the direction of water flow is shown by the arrows in FIG. 4 (d)).

Between the lower pedestal 1 and the upper body 2, a flexible electrical cable 13 connecting the control circuit 14 and the ultrasonic vibrator 18 is allowed to be arranged in a relaxed length. In addition, the first hose 12 which connects from the outlet of the connecting conduit 10 for supplying water to the humidifier from the outside to the inlet of the water discharging device is also selected to be flexible and arranged in a relaxed length. According to this, the upper body 2 can be easily handled when the upper body 2 is separated from the lower pedestal 1. The length of the cable and hose is preferably formed long enough to be reversed when cleaning the upper body (2). The allowable lengths of the cables and hoses are sufficiently stored in the space formed between the lower pedestal 1 and the upper body 2. In this embodiment, the lower pedestal (1) and the upper body (2) is illustrated as being connected by a cable and a hose having a free length, but may be connected by adopting any type of direct connection method.

The water discharging device in this embodiment includes a nipple 16 having one end connected to the hose 12 and having a discharge end in an inverted U shape, and a level sensor moving up and down along an axis extending through the center hole. Includes a ball 15 to include. The level sensor is electrically connected to the control circuit 14 to send a water level detection signal to the control circuit 14. Accordingly, when the water in the water staying space is raised to a certain level or more, the floats 15 move upward to contact the inlets of the faucet 16 to block the inlets so that the water is no longer supplied. In addition, if the level detected by the level sensor is below a certain level, the level detection signal is sent to the control circuit 14, and the control circuit 14 in response causes the ultrasonic vibrator not to operate. In this embodiment, the mouth portion 15 is formed with a concave portion 25 to contact the end of the U-shaped portion when the water level is above a certain height to block the end. According to this configuration, when the water level is above a certain height, the problem of lowering the humidification efficiency of the vibrator is prevented, and when the humidifier is stopped, the water supply is stopped in a physical manner without using an electric device. The water level can be kept constant.

As described above, the control circuit 14 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibrator 18, the humidity detection sensor and the level sensor. This control circuit 14 drives the ultrasonic vibrator 18 and can automatically humidify or switch to manual humidification by comparing the indoor humidity detected by the humidity detection device with the optimum humidity and according to the water level signal of the level sensor. It starts and stops the operation of the vibrator. Such a control circuit can use any known manner.

The lid 3 constituting the steam discharging device covers the upper portion of the upper body 2 and through the steam discharge port 4 formed on one side thereof, water vapor generated from the steam generator is discharged into the room.

In the external structure of the humidifier according to the present invention, although not shown in the drawing, the humidifier can be formed in a structure that can be attached to a wall surface. That is, it is possible to form a connector that can be connected to the wall mounting hole, or the mounting bracket on the back of the humidifier.

In the above described and illustrated with a specific type of humidifier, the present invention is not limited to the details described in the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can variously modify and change various members of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. In other words, it is possible to change various other members while having a structure without a bucket. In one example, the water level detection and blocking of water discharge can be made electronically openable, a device that allows water to be discharged around the vibrator can be pumped, and the valve 19 can be configured to supply water from the water source. Any form can be used as long as it can block and open. In this embodiment, but the structure that can be separated into the upper body portion and the lower pedestal, it may be configured in one piece. In addition, the steam generator may adopt a heating method other than an ultrasonic vibration method.

Since the humidifier produced by the present invention does not use a bucket, it is convenient and uses flowing water and is easy to clean, so it is hygienic and does not have a bucket. In addition, the control circuit is installed in the lower pedestal, and between the lower pedestal and the upper body is connected by a flexible hose and cable, and when the lid is removed, the upper body is only an ultrasonic vibrator and a level sensor, so the size and lightness of the upper body can be easily handled and reversed. Can be. Therefore, it is very easy to clean the vibrator in contact with water.

Claims (5)

In the humidifier having a steam generator for generating steam for humidification, a steam discharge device for discharging steam generated by the steam generator, and a control means for controlling the operation, water supplied to the steam generator is externally supplied. A water supply device for supplying water from the water supply device, and a retention space accommodating the water vapor generating device and retaining water supplied from the outside through the water supply device and water vapor formed in the steam generating device, wherein the water supply device includes: An inlet device which allows water to be introduced into the humidifier from the outside and controls the inlet of the water, and a water discharging device that is detachably connected to the inlet device so that water can be controlled to be supplied to the water staying space; The apparatus includes a connecting member connected to the drawing device, and the connecting member A supply conduit extending into the water retention space and a water discharge control valve for controlling water discharged from the supply conduit by opening and closing an end of the supply conduit while moving up and down according to a change in the water level. A humidifier having a bucketless structure, characterized in that water is supplied directly from an external water source so that sanitary steam can be generated. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the inlet device comprises a connecting conduit connected to an external water source, a filter attached to one end of the connecting conduit to reduce the water supply pressure and filter out impurities in the water; And a water supply control valve provided at the position. The humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a circulation mechanism installed around the steam generator and forcibly introducing and recirculating water introduced into the residence space through the supply conduit from the water source to the supply conduit. 4. The humidifier of claim 3, wherein the circulation mechanism includes a second hose whose one end is connected to an outlet formed around the steam generator and the other end is communicatively connected in the conduit of the supply conduit. 5. The humidifier of claim 4, wherein the cross sectional size of the hose is smaller than the cross sectional size of the conduit of the water supply.

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